Overview
- Cricket Association of Bengal sources told PTI that Gill has acute neck pain, must continue wearing a collar, has been advised three to four days of rest, and will not join Wednesday’s team flight for the Nov. 22 Test.
- India are assessing batting reshuffles and potential call-ups, with options reported to include B Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, Abhimanyu Easwaran and Ruturaj Gaikwad, as the XI is reworked without their captain.
- Gautam Gambhir acknowledged requesting an early-turning Eden Gardens surface, a stance that has drawn sharp criticism from former players and coaches including Sunil Gavaskar, Cheteshwar Pujara, Brad Haddin and Jason Gillespie.
- South Africa lead the two-match series 1–0 after India were bowled out for 93 chasing 124 in Kolkata, with Simon Harmer taking eight in the match to claim Player of the Match.
- Debate over India’s home pitch strategy has intensified, with critics arguing that rank turners have recently hurt the hosts and played into visiting spinners’ strengths.